SARATOGA – 8/20/2023
RACE 1: 9-5-3-2
#9 LADY FIREFOOT is the one to catch today and is a horse that many have been waiting for to get back on grass going long. She had a wide trip going a mile on the weeds here last summer during a stretch where you wanted to save every bit of ground. Look for her to get command early.
RACE 2: 6-4-3-2
#6 DIVA BANKER should get the right trip stalking on the outside and figures to fit this class level well. Her trainer is giving up two starts after a claim that came for 20k more thans he’s running for today. Her tactical speed is a weapon though this race is overloaded with pace.
RACE 3: 3-1-5-6
There’s an argument that #3 TASS ran the best race when the field for the 8th on July 23 got together. This mare stalked the pace and grabbed the lead in upper stretch before being outfinished late. She’s now first off the claim by the ice cold barn of Rob Atras but has the speed to get command early in a largely paceless race.
RACE 4: 3-4-2-5
#3 AMIDST WAVES is the one to beat off a wire-to-wire score in the Colleen last time out at Monmouth. She has ample early speed and meets a group that largely looks overmatched on paper. Should she show the same kind of zip at the start of the race she’ll be tough to handle today.
RACE 5: 4-1-6-5
The work that Terri Pompay has long done with 2YOs has been strong and #4 BROOKMESA appears to be training well for her unveiling. She posted a bullet workout on July 23 and made a favorable impression in her first local drill here on August 13. The pedigree is there for early success as well as progeny of Sky Mesa hit at a 13% clip on debut.
RACE 6: 2-8-1-10
#2 CAUSEWAY’S JEWEL is a second timer from the barn of Tony Dutrow who debuted in a race taken off the turf. She should improve on the lawn given the pedigree, as she’s a half to multiple graded stake winner Emmanuel. The price will be attractive too as people put too much into bad dirt running lines.
RACE 7: 3-5-4-10
#3 PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE ran a credible race last time out against a tough field and shortens up to the distance at which he won two starts back. This gelding has tactical speed and a cozy inside post from which he can stalk and pounce.
RACE 8: 5-7-8-2
#5 QUALITY CHIC is now in the care of David Jacobson and has been preparing aggressively for this engagement. He’s cutting back in distance and should be in position to sit back and make one run. When a trainer makes an immediate switch with something about an established horse it’s notable, and that’s what is being done here on the cutback.
RACE 9: 16-13-12-5
#16 MORNING CUP goes 2nd off a claim for Linda Rice and should be set for an improved run on the surface switch. He showed big speed two starts back in a 30k event at Churchill Downs and an effort similar to that would put him squarely in the mix for top honors this afternoon.
RACE 10: 9-10-6-8
#9 CHALKY CAT switches barns to that of Eddie Barker and drops in class for his third start off a layoff. This is a great spot for him from a class perspective as he’s been in need of softer competition and the outside post is ideal.
